March 23rd saw the beginning of TENVORS' first exchange, bringing regional decision makers together on the topic of Local Agenda 21. For three days exemplary instances of regional development in the area bordered by Austria, Liechtenstein, Germany and Switzerland were shown to delegates from the Basque country. The aim of the visit was to share information on issues such as Local Agenda 21, sustainable tourism, waste management and others. Problems and obstacles which occured during these processes were discussed at a very local level.

The intense programme included visits to the following:

• Environmental Management System Friedrichshafen Airport
• Uhldingen-Mühlhofen: Sustainability and EMS in a tourism resort
• Regional brewery
• Exchange of experience: 14 project teams of 5 municipalities in Austria/Switzerland/Liechtenstein (within the network “Alliance in the Alps”) about sustainable mobility
• The Kummenberg region (Austria): LA 21 in a small rural region
• “Personality Werdenberg” a Swiss region
• “Käsestrasse Bregenzerwald”
• Community of Langenegg: LA 21 in a small municipality
• Regional carpenters workshop – zero emissions?
• Cultural Centre Hittisau

Other areas of particular interest and which form the basis for future activities were:

• Energy management (measures to save energy, development of renewable energy sources...)
• Ecological architecture (large use of glass and wood, good quality insulation…)
• Waste management (use of materials, sewage treatment, water management, recycling…)
• Marketing and consumption of local products (cheese, wood...)
• Support of local culture
• Sustainable mobility (promotion of public transport, increase the use of bicycle...)
• Promotion of the territory (common identity...)

Local Agenda 21, as a working tool, plays an important role in achieving a sustainable development for the future. Again in this field, cooperation has a fundamental role, not only among municipalities, but also among regions, territories and at international level (Bodensee LA 21)

In all the Local Agenda 21 cases analysed, the participation of the citizens has had an essential importance in the success of the sustainable development process. This participation has been developed mainly through autonomous working groups. The response of the citizens has been quite positive, even though it must be admitted that the process to reach this point has been quite long.

The commitment to get social resources and infrastructures (high quality kindergartens, theatres…), even though it required enormous efforts (loans, need for previous savings…), brought large benefits to the municipalities and the region, among others:

• They increase the attractiveness of the municipalities, as a tool to retain the population
• They increase the quality of life of the citizens (offering better services, making easier a joint working and family life through kindergarten services…)
• They support local culture

Even though tourism has still a low importance (since the need for economic diversification has been lower), it is considered an important factor in achieving sustainable development, if is managed properly:

• Tourism flows are oriented
• Local cultural heritage is shown (but not overexploited)
• Local products are promoted
• Economic activity is developed (especially in the small municipalities)

Thus, it can be said that the majority of examples that were seen are the result of a long process, having sustainable development as the main criteria. In this long process, the leadership of the authorities and technical and political officials is essential, in order to achieve the cooperation and participation of the whole society.